Caloundra is one of the most loved family friendly destinations in South East Queensland. Featuring many beautiful and idyllic beaches, incredible weather and a peaceful small-town vibe, there’s no wonder that tourists both domestic and internationally flock there all year round. In this budget travel guide to Caloundra, I’ll show you all the best places to visit, things to do and where to stay to help your budget stretch a far as possible.
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About Caloundra
At the risk of using an overused phrase such as “hidden gem”, if there was ever a place that it could be used, it is Caloundra. This, in reality, is a really strange thing to say for someone that has grown up in South East Queensland. Why? Because Caloundra was one of the first places that became famous on the Sunshine Coast as a beachside getaway – long before the rest of the Sunshine Coast became famous.
These days, however, the trendy places to visit are Noosa, or Coolum. The large holiday parks in Maroochdore attract thousands every Christmas. Mooloolaba is still considered the “cool” place to hang out.
Caloundra, however, flies well under the radar these days. While everyone else heads to the Gold Coast to spend their hard-earned dollars at the theme parks, Caloundra is the idyllic beachside getaway to visit if you want to save your money. For those on a budget, you simply can’t find it’s equal.
A family oriented, laid-back small town surrounded by beautiful beaches featuring surf on one side, and flat water on the other. Rooms in hotels offer ocean views in one direction, or Glasshouse Mountains views in the other. Cafes along the strip always have a vacant table or two, and nighttime markets in the Summer are the perfect way to wrap up an already perfect day out. What more could you ask for?
Where is Caloundra?
Caloundra is located right at the very southern point of the Sunshine Coast. It is approximately 75 kilometers from Brisbane CBD, if measured in a direct line, with a drive by road stretching that out to around 90 kilometers.
The proximity to Brisbane makes Caloundra a very attractive option for weekend getaways, with the Bruce Highway making it an easy drive from anywhere in the Queensland Capital. The town of Caloundra itself is only 10 minutes from the motorway turnoff.
Weather in Caloundra – What’s the best time to visit?
Caloundra has amazing year-round weather, especially if you enjoy nice warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine! Personally, my favorite time of year is Spring where it’s just warming up, nice for the beach but you don’t get those blazing hot days that Summer can bring. But, seeing as this is a complete guide to Caloundra, here is a quick run-down of what you can expect from each season.
Summer (December – February) – Expect it to be hot. Although this is the best beach weather, it can also be very humid. Temperatures will be regularly in the low 30’s during the day, with many nights still sitting in the mid 20’s. Book a place with A/C, and if you don’t enjoy crowds then stay clear of school holidays.
Autumn (March – May) – March can still be hot as the summers run long on the Sunshine Coast. Even April can still have some very warm days. As Autumn really begins to take a hold the days will get cooler and sit in the mid 20’s most of the time. Crowds are smaller at this time of the year other than the Easter School holidays which can get busy.
Winter (June – August) – A great time to head to Caloundra for a getaway. Crowds are smaller but the temps sit in the low 20’s during the day, with chilly mornings and evenings. Perfect time of the year for hiking around the Glasshouse Mountains, walking the coastal walk, or enjoying the alfresco atmosphere at one of many cafes.
Spring (September – November) – My favorite time of year! Things are just starting to warm up, however in early spring there can still be just enough chill around to take the edge off and make trips to the hinterland enjoyable. The beach becomes enjoyable and as summer approaches the crowds begin to filter back. Avoid the school holidays in September if possible, however it’s not as crowded as Christmas!
How to get to Caloundra
Getting to Caloundra is easy!
With its convenient location at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra is one of the most affordable and easy places to reach from Brisbane and its surrounds. Proximity to the Bruce Highway motorway, and an international airport just up the road allows plenty of options for tourists and visitors, no matter where you’re from.
Here are the best ways to get to Caloundra.
- Road – Access by road is the easiest, most convenient and popular way for the majority of visitors. Taking the Bruce Highway north from Brisbane, it takes less than an hour to get to Caloundra. From the Bruce Highway, the Caloundra turnoff doubles as the Landsborough turnoff. Follow the road to the right, over the highway and stay straight. Within 15 minutes you’ll find yourself beachside!
- Air – The Sunshine Coast Airport is located just up the road from Caloundra in Marcoola, near Maroochydore, and is an International Airport. Flights arrive regularly, making travel by air a popular alternative for visitors coming from all over Australia and beyond. Transfers are available from the airport via Con-x-ion. Alternatively, catch bus 622 into Maroochydore and change to bus 600 to be dropped right in the heart of Caloundra!
- Rail – At time of writing, you can catch the train from Brisbane to Landsborough and then hop on bus 605 to Caloundra. The beauty of this is that the total fare is only 50c, unless you are coming from Brisbane airport. In the future there are plans for a new rail spur to come off the main line and service the Sunshine Coast right through to the airport with the help of light rail connections. Plans are to have this in place for the 2032 Olympics.
Things to do in Caloundra on a budget
Caloundra is one of the best places to visit in South East Queensland for those on a budget. Saving money is easy, with plenty of free things to do and other budget friendly options. Here are some of my favorites:
- Hit the beaches – From famous Kings Beach to Happy Valley, Dicky Beach to Moffat Beach, there are options for everyone! At Kings Beach you’ll find plenty of facilities including playgrounds, water fountains and grassed areas. One interesting note is that the usually open ocean mouth of Pumicestone Passage is totally closed by a sandbar at the moment creating an extra-large beach area for Happy Valley!
- Enjoy the coastal walkway – This incredible 25 km long walkway stretches from Golden Beach all the way to Mooloolaba. The Caloundra section is by far my favorite part of it, in particular the boardwalk from Happy Valley to Kings Beach. Dolphin sightings are a regular occurrence, and during the period around August Whale watching from many places along the walk is a popular pastime.
- Catch a movie – The Strand Cinemas in Caloundra are the perfect place to see the latest blockbuster for less than half the price of other cinemas. Most movies cost only $10, with Platinum tickets as low as $15!
- Try some water sports – Pumicestone Passage is perfect for just about any type of flat water sports. From Jet Skis to Stand up paddelboarding, you can try it all out right here in Caloundra.
- Check out Caloundra Library – While it doesn’t sound too exciting, if you’re a backpacker looking to save money and chill, the incredible Caloundra library is the place to do it. With its very own cafe, plenty of private corners to sit and read or work with free Wi-Fi, you simply can’t go wrong.
- Take a stroll to the Lighthouse – Many people don’t even know that on the tallest hill of Caloundra there is a beautiful lighthouse – and it’s just out of the CBD! Built in 1896, it’s the oldest building in Caloundra. You can even do a tour which run on every other Saturday.
- Hit the Markets – There are several markets around Caloundra that are perfect to while away some time for free, plus save a lot of money on cheap and quality fruit and veg. Every Sunday morning from 8am in Bulcock street is the main Street Fair. The Twilight Markets also run on Bulcock Beach Esplanade on the last Friday of every month except in July and August.
- Visit Queensland Air Museum – For any enthusiast, or simply anyone that is remotely interested in aircraft of all shapes and sizes, the Queensland Air Museum is not to be missed. Located just out of the CBD, tickets are only $25 for adults, so present a great way to spend the day without hurting the budget.
Where to eat on a budget
While Caloundra isn’t exactly the most expensive place to visit, there are a few bakeries and cafes around the CBD area that I recommend for saving an extra dollar or two. Here is a list of the ones that I find myself heading back to on a regular basis.
- Bunker Espresso – A small cafe that many would just drive right past, which is a pity because the coffee is amazing! They also have a small selection of toasties and wraps that are a great size for the price, so well worth checking out. As a bonus they are also VERY dog friendly.
- Caloundra Bakery – As you would expect at any bakery, there is a great range of food options available. They do great Banh Mi for a decent price, good portioned fish and chips, and offer a full selection of bakery products, slices and muffins.
- Caloundra Cafe – Set in a nice location in the middle of the main street, their coffee is excellent, menu extensive and their scones with jam and cream simply delicious!
- Caloundra Bakery and Banh Mi – This little bakery is not right in the CBD, but just down the road in Caloundra Shopping Centre (the one with Kmart). They do great Banh Mi, and have a tasty selection of pies and sausage rolls.
- Markets – To save big on fruits and vegetables, try the local markets on Sunday Mornings in the main street. If you have a car, or don’t mind catching the bus, head to the Kawana Waters Farmer Markets for even better options every Saturday morning.
- The Walkway Village Cafe – This little gem is tucked away behind the main street but has the very best toasties for a decent price. The rest of the menu is pretty awesome too, but be aware that the secret is out!
- Parklands Tavern – This isn’t in the CBD, but easy to reach by bus or only a 10 min drive. I include it because they do incredible $16 lunch and dinner deals that I personally take advantage of at least once a week!
Day Trips and Tours
For those that are wanting to see and do more than just stay in Caloundra, it can also be the perfect base to explore more of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer. Here is a selection of the best places to visit around the region, and a few links to tours to make it even easier.
- Experience Australia Zoo – Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo is world famous, and for good reason. With a massive selection of animals from Australia and around the world, the star of the show is by far the impressive crocodile displays and shows. Check out your ticket options through their website, and tours that include transfers HERE.
- Get your thrills at Aussie World – located along the Bruce Highway motorway just past the Caloundra exit, this small theme park includes side shows and rides with a fraction of the crowd you would expect at other theme parks.
- Check out the Glasshouse Mountains – These incredible mountains are remnants of a volcanic era millions of years ago. Viewed from all across the region including Caloundra, they are the perfect place to spy some local wildlife, or take in a beautiful hike with a view. My tip is Mount Ngungun, a fairly easy hike to the top of one of the smaller peaks with incredible 360° views of the surrounding mountains.
- Visit beautiful Maleny – My favorite town on the Sunshine Coast is by far Maleny. Located in the hinterland, it boasts quaint cafes, souvenir shops and a heritage atmosphere. Take a drive along Mountain View Road for Glasshouse Mountains panoramas, and don’t miss the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World!
- Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium – For something different (especially on a rainy day) head to Mooloolaba and check out their amazing aquarium. The star here is the seal show, however the underwater tunnel and penguins are also crowd pleasers!
- Shop away at Eumundi Markets – A bit further to drive, these are by far the most famous markets on the Sunshine Coast. Open every Wednesday and Saturday, they are simply massive and will take the good part of half a day for you to browse through them all. Get there early for a good park and beat the heat if it’s summer!
- Take the family Dolphin Feeding at Tin Can Bay – Ever want to feed a live dolphin? Well, this is your chance! And the best part – it doesn’t even cost very much. For a budget friendly life changing experience, the biggest cost will be the time it will take to drive to Tin Can Bay.
Where to Stay in Caloundra
There are plenty of places to stay around Caloundra. That being said, there aren’t as many backpackers and holiday parks as you might find in a place like Maroochydore. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a great stay in Caloundra though, especially when you keep in mind that the rest of your stay you WILL be saving money!
Here is a selection of the best places to stay.
- Oaks Sunshine Coast Resort – Family friendly, on the cheaper side with a range of accommodations right near the beach.
- Ramada Resort by Wyndam Golden Beach – Apartment style accommodation right by the beach designed perfectly for families. One big bonus is being away from the CBD but still nice and walkable, meaning less crowds during busy holiday periods.
- Watermark Resort Caloundra – Great resort accommodation on the beach and close to everything the CBD has to offer. Three pools at differing heights makes it easier to find a spot during busy times, and views across to Bribie Island provide the perfect holiday feel.
- Ocean Views Resort – If you want ocean views, easy beach access, plus cafes and shops at your doorstep then this is the place. Located right in the middle of Caloundra, you get what you pay for at Ocean Views Resort.
- BIG4 Caloundra – If you are Australian and have a family then you KNOW what BIG4 is! Their Caloundra facility is no different to any other except, well, it’s located in amazing Caloundra. With all the facilities you would expect from jumping mats to waterslides, BIG4 Caloundra is the place to be.
How to get around
One of the biggest questions people have when visiting anywhere new, is how to get around. Fortunately, Caloundra is easy as it’s really not that big. Even if you stay a little out of the CBD, there are certainly options.
- Walking – This is a no brainer as Caloundra is a very walkable little town. In fact, even if you drove the car, you’d more than likely end up parking it and not returning to it all day. The main street is easy and pleasant to walk with plenty of shade and trees, while the beach walk is the easiest way to make your way along the foreshore.
- Public Transport – The bus is easy to utilize if you want to head anywhere outside of the CBD. Cheap and simple, just use the translink journey planner to find timetables and routes. Route 600 is an easy one to remember and will get you all the way up the coast to Maroochydore starting from the Caloundra Transit Centre in Cooma Street, a block back from Happy Valley and Bulcock Beach.
Best tips to save money
While this entire guide is designed to assist you have a great stay in Caloundra on a budget, here are a few other tips for how to save even more!
- Park for free – There are several council run carparks around the CBD where you can park for free. One is beside the library, while another is a multi-story park in Ormuz Avenue right near The Walkway Village Cafe. Also, don’t forget that parking is free at most beaches and the Happy Valley Carpark is BIG.
- Avoid school holidays – This is a big one, as things do become more expensive in school holidays and you may end up having to pay for things like parking with the larger crowds.
- Shop in the markets – Kawana markets on Saturday mornings and the Street Fair in Caloundra on Sundays are a big way to save on food!
- Utilize public transport to get around – This goes without saying especially when it is so cheap!
Summary
Caloundra is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a budget getaway in South East Queensland. With perfect beaches, incredible year-round weather and the quality that you would expect to pay a lot more for elsewhere, you simply can’t go wrong.
